Imagine a dish that transforms ordinary pasta into a vibrant, flavor-packed masterpiece that will make your taste buds dance with joy! This Green Bean Almond Gremolata Pasta is not just a meal; it's a quick, elegant culinary escape that brings the bright, zesty flavors of Italy right to your dinner table. In less time than it takes to watch your favorite sitcom, you'll create a restaurant-worthy dish that's both nutritious and incredibly delicious.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta of choice
- 2 cups green beans, trimmed
- 1/2 cup almonds, toasted
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. The water should taste like seawater to properly season the pasta.
- While the water is heating, trim the green beans by cutting off the tough stem ends and cutting them into 1-inch pieces.
- Toast the almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until they become fragrant and golden brown. This should take about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and roughly chop them.
- Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes.
- During the last 3 minutes of pasta cooking, add the green beans directly to the same pot to blanch them alongside the pasta.
- While pasta is cooking, prepare the gremolata by combining minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped toasted almonds in a small bowl.
- Drain the pasta and green beans, reserving about 1/4 cup of pasta water. Return the pasta and beans to the pot.
- Drizzle olive oil over the pasta and beans, then add the gremolata mixture. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water if needed to help the ingredients coat evenly.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately, garnishing with additional toasted almonds or fresh herbs if desired.
Tips
- • Toast your almonds carefully - the key is consistent medium heat and constant stirring to prevent burning. • Use high-quality olive oil for the best flavor profile. • Reserve pasta water before draining - its starchy magic helps create a silky sauce. • For extra depth, try using a mix of pasta shapes or adding some fresh herbs like basil or parsley. • Don't overcook the green beans; they should remain crisp and vibrant. • Taste and adjust seasoning just before serving to ensure perfect flavor balance. • For a protein boost, consider adding grilled chicken or sautéed shrimp.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 420kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 0mg
